Topical Encyclopedia
The term "compile" refers to the act of gathering, collecting, and organizing information or texts into a structured format. In the context of the Bible, compiling involves the process by which various books, letters, and writings were collected and arranged to form the canonical Scriptures as we know them today.
Biblical Compilation ProcessThe Bible is a compilation of 66 books, divided into the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, consists of texts that were compiled over centuries, reflecting the religious history, laws, prophecies, and poetry of the Israelites. The New Testament contains writings that were compiled in the early Christian era, documenting the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Church.
Old Testament CompilationThe Old Testament was compiled from various sources, including oral traditions, historical records, and prophetic writings. Key figures such as Moses, David, and the prophets played significant roles in the authorship and preservation of these texts. The process of compiling the Old Testament was guided by divine inspiration, as affirmed in
2 Timothy 3:16 : "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
The Hebrew Bible was traditionally divided into three sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). The compilation of these texts was completed by the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, who were instrumental in re-establishing the Jewish community and its religious practices after the Babylonian exile.
New Testament CompilationThe New Testament was compiled from the writings of the apostles and early Christian leaders. The Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation were written in the first century A.D. and circulated among the early Christian communities. The process of compiling the New Testament involved discerning which writings were inspired and authoritative, a task undertaken by the early Church Fathers.
The Berean Standard Bible reflects the belief that the New Testament writings were divinely inspired, as seen in
2 Peter 1:21 : "For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Role of Scribes and ScholarsScribes and scholars played a crucial role in the compilation and preservation of biblical texts. They meticulously copied manuscripts, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the Scriptures. The Masoretes, a group of Jewish scribes, were particularly influential in preserving the Hebrew text of the Old Testament through their development of the Masoretic Text.
CanonizationThe process of canonization was essential in compiling the Bible. It involved recognizing which books were divinely inspired and authoritative for teaching and doctrine. The canon of the Old Testament was largely established by the time of Jesus, who affirmed its authority in passages such as
Luke 24:44 : "He said to them, 'These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.'"
The New Testament canon was formalized by the fourth century A.D., with Church councils affirming the 27 books that are recognized today. This compilation was guided by criteria such as apostolic authorship, consistency with Christian doctrine, and widespread acceptance among the early churches.
Significance of CompilationThe compilation of the Bible is a testament to God's providence in preserving His Word for future generations. It reflects the unity and coherence of Scripture, despite being written by multiple authors over many centuries. The Bible's compilation underscores its role as the authoritative guide for faith and practice, as emphasized in
Psalm 119:105 : "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To put together; to construct; to build.
2. (v. t.) To contain or comprise.
3. (v. t.) To put together in a new form out of materials already existing; esp., to put together or compose out of materials from other books or documents.
4. (v. t.) To write; to compose.
Greek
392. anatassomai -- to arrange in order... restore from memory. Word Origin from ana and tasso Definition to arrange
in order NASB Word Usage
compile (1). set in order. From ana
...Library
Preface of Dr. Martin Luther.
... either had to expect that we would be summoned also to the Council or [to fear that
we would] be condemned unsummoned, I was directed tocompile and collect...
Translator's Preface
... not often brought into sufficient prominence in these days, yet possessing a most
direct and valuable influence on Christian life, I wished tocompile a volume...
Training of Ministers and Teachers Neglected.
... Those who possibly could teach the youth to read are lazy and drunken,compile a
sermon from all manner of books, run about, preach, and administer the Lord's...
Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ
... Why, then, was he at the pains tocompile it, and why did the writer of the Gospel,
if he was not the compiler, think it important enough to open his narrative...
Of Julian; his Lineage and Education; his Elevation to The
... pompous rhetorical style, as if it were necessary to make the delineation correspond
with the dignity of the subject: for my object being tocompile a history...
Prologue.
... For through eagerness to pose as champions of new doctrines they pick up and get
together the impiety of many heresies, andcompile this heresy of death....
Efforts at Unity and Peace.
... (10.) This committee was instructed tocompile the controverted points of doctrine
from the writings of the two parties, "and to put into one column what the...
Council of Seleucia.
... as a statement of the faith, we shall fail in attaining precision of the truth."
Acacius having retorted that it was not forbidden tocompile new formularies...
Justus Falckner.
... And Pastor Falckner was repeatedly urged by members of his congregation tocompile
a booklet for his parishioners in which the chief doctrines, especially the...
Chronological Recapitulation of the Whole Work: Also Concerning...
... when I received priest's orders, till the fifty-ninth year of my age, I have made
it my business, for my own needs and those of my brethren, tocompile out of...
Thesaurus
Compile (1 Occurrence)... from other books or documents. 4. (vt) To write; to compose. Multi-Version
Concordance
Compile (1 Occurrence). Luke 1:1 Since many
...Complacence (1 Occurrence)
Competitor (1 Occurrence)
Library
... People do not begin tocompile grammars and dictionaries or to speculate on the
origin of words until books and libraries abound and education is widespread....
Synoptic
... But if that is the case, how did Matthew and Luke depart from that copy by
writing a fore-history? Why did theycompile a genealogy?...
Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... People do not begin tocompile grammars and dictionaries or to speculate on the
origin of words until books and libraries abound and education is widespread....
Gospels
... But if that is the case, how did Matthew and Luke depart from that copy by
writing a fore-history? Why did theycompile a genealogy?...
Resources
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